Community members are invited to delve into the world of genealogy at the Santa Barbara County Genealogical Society’s (SBCGS) free annual Family History Month Open House, 1-4 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 1 at Sahyun Genealogical Library, 316 Castillo St.

“Researching our family history is like unearthing buried treasure – each discovery reveals a precious piece of who we are and where we come from,” said Holly Snyder, SBCGS outreach chair. “Our Family History Month Open House provides an array of fun activities and an abundance of resources, catering to genealogists of all experience levels.”

For beginners and seasoned genealogists, volunteers will be available to offer guidance and tips to initiate visitors’ family history journeys, along with tours of the society’s extensive collection and resources.

“At some point most of us want to know about our past,” said SBCGS president Ted Tazer-Myers. “If that applies to you, our society and member volunteers are here to help.

“Come to our open house to find out more about your own heritage and discover the Sahyun Genealogical Library.”

The FamilySearch Center of Santa Barbara will be on hand with Discovery Experiences, including uncovering famous relatives; peering into your family’s past through the 1950 census; tips on beginning genealogy; and take-home family tree fan charts.

They also will introduce their new Memories app that records family stories. Creating a free account on FamilySearch.org ahead of time is recommended.

The society’s Santa Barbara Asian American Pacific Islander Heritage Exhibit will be on display in the library for visitors to explore the history and culture of Santa Barbara’s Asian American and Pacific Islander communities.

The Santa Barbara County Genealogical Society is an all-volunteer organization with some 500 members, and a 5,000-square-foot genealogical research library featuring 19,000 books and a computer lab with access to nine genealogical subscription websites.

Visit SBGen.org to learn more about membership benefits, events, presentations, or to become a member. Annual memberships start at $40.